American Roulette is the most iconic version of the game, synonymous with the high-energy atmosphere of Las Vegas. The double-zero wheel, the fast pace, the colored chips. It looks identical to European Roulette until you notice that second green pocket. That one extra zero is the most expensive pocket in the casino. Roulette.Casino tells you exactly what it costs, how the game works, and when it might still be worth playing.
For a full breakdown of how the three main variants compare on house edge and rules, see how the numbers stack up in our house edge by variant comparison.
What Is American Roulette?
American Roulette is played on a wheel with 38 numbered pockets: 0, 00, and 1 through 36. The double-zero pocket, the defining feature, was added by American casino operators in the 19th century to increase the house advantage. The game arrived in New Orleans with French settlers and was then modified as it moved north and west to Nevada.
Today it remains the dominant variant in North American land-based casinos, though European Roulette has become widely available online even for US-based players.
The Pocket That Costs You Double
Put the two wheels side by side and almost nothing separates them. Same numbered grid, same bet types, same 35:1 on a straight-up number. The only difference is a single extra green pocket marked 00.
That pocket does not change what you get paid. It changes how often you get paid. A straight-up bet drops from 1 in 37 to 1 in 38, and the house edge goes from 2.70% to 5.26% — exactly double, from one pocket. It is the most expensive square inch in any casino.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Feature | American Roulette |
|---|---|
| Wheel pockets | 38 (0, 00, 1 to 36) |
| Green zeros | 2 (single zero + double zero) |
| House edge | 5.26% |
| RTP (Return to Player) | 94.74% |
| Straight-up payout | 35:1 |
| Five-number bet | Available (7.89% edge) |
| La Partage / En Prison | Not available |
| Announced bets | Not available |
American Roulette Rules & Table Layout
The objective is identical to all roulette variants: predict which pocket the ball will land in. A dealer spins the wheel in one direction and releases a small ball in the opposite direction. Players place bets until the dealer calls “No more bets.” After the ball settles, winning bets are paid and losing chips are cleared. The full walkthrough sits in the roulette rules section.
The American table layout is streamlined for speed: one dealer, one wheel, fast turnover. The betting grid includes all 36 numbers plus 0 and 00 at the top. Outside bets sit along the edges for easy reach. Every bet type and where the chips go is mapped in the bet options reference.
Colored Chips and Etiquette
In a land-based American casino, you exchange cash for color chips specific to that table. Every player gets a unique color so the dealer can track who placed which bet. Always cash out your colored chips at the roulette table before leaving, because they have no value at other tables or the cashier.
Inside Bets
| Bet Type | Coverage | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Straight Up | 1 number | 35:1 | 2.63% |
| Split | 2 numbers | 17:1 | 5.26% |
| Street | 3 numbers | 11:1 | 7.89% |
| Corner (Square) | 4 numbers | 8:1 | 10.53% |
| Five Number Bet | 5 numbers (0, 00, 1, 2, 3) | 6:1 | 13.16% |
| Six Line | 6 numbers | 5:1 | 15.79% |
Outside Bets
| Bet Type | Coverage | Payout | Win Probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red / Black | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Odd / Even | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Low (1 to 18) | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| High (19 to 36) | 18 numbers | 1:1 | 47.37% |
| Dozen | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 31.58% |
| Column | 12 numbers | 2:1 | 31.58% |
Reading the American Wheel Sequence
Two Greens, Facing Each Other
The American wheel is built around two anchor points. The 0 and the 00 sit directly opposite each other, nineteen pockets apart on a wheel of thirty-eight. Run clockwise from the double zero and the order opens 27, 10, 25, 29, 12, and on around the rim.
The structure underneath is a pairing rule: every consecutive odd-even pair sits directly across the wheel. 1 faces 2, 5 faces 6, 11 faces 12, all the way to 35 facing 36 — eighteen pairs, no exceptions. Red and black alternate at every pocket as well.
That symmetry spreads red, black, high, low, odd and even evenly around all 38 pockets, so no quarter of the wheel is statistically hotter than another. It is deliberate engineering, not decoration — the same principle the European wheel uses with one pocket fewer.
The Five Number Bet, the Worst Bet on the Table
Why the Basket Bet Exists
The Five Number Bet, also called the Basket Bet, is exclusive to American Roulette. It covers 0, 00, 1, 2 and 3 in a single wager and pays 6:1.
It only exists because the American layout has five numbers bunched at the top of the grid instead of four. On a European table that corner holds 0, 1, 2 and 3 — a clean four-number corner bet at 8:1, priced correctly. Add the 00 and the corner no longer fits any standard payout, so the house invented one. Badly, and in its own favour.
It sounds useful for covering the top of the layout. The math tells a different story.
Here is where the extra cost comes from. Five numbers out of 38 pockets means a fair payout of 38 ÷ 5 − 1 = 6.6:1. The casino pays 6:1. That shortfall of 0.6 units is proportionally larger than the shortfall on any other bet, which is why this one wager sits at 7.89% while everything else on the table sits at 5.26%. You win it 13.16% of the time and still lose more per unit staked than on a straight-up number.
American Roulette Odds & Payouts
Every bet on the American wheel, except the Five Number Bet, carries a uniform house edge of 5.26%. The payouts are identical to European Roulette, but the odds of winning are slightly lower because there are 38 pockets instead of 37.
How the House Edge Is Calculated
On a straight-up bet, you have a 1-in-38 chance of winning. The casino pays 35:1. The fair payout for a 38-pocket wheel would be 37:1. Those two missing units, divided across 38 outcomes, produce the 5.26% edge.
Real Cost Comparison: 500 Spins at €10
| Variant | House Edge | Expected Loss (500 × €10) |
|---|---|---|
| French Roulette (La Partage) | 1.35% | €67.50 |
| European Roulette | 2.70% | €135 |
| American Roulette | 5.26% | €263 |
See our full roulette odds and payouts chart and the payout calculator for every bet combination across all variants.
Free American Roulette Simulator
Practice on a real 38-pocket double-zero wheel before risking money. Watch the 0 and 00 appear at their true statistical frequency, track hot and cold numbers, and test your strategy across hundreds of spins. No registration, no download.
Strategies for the American Wheel
All standard roulette strategies work on American Roulette, but they work harder against you because the house edge is nearly double. If you have access to a European or French table, always choose that instead. If the American wheel is your only option, here is how to play it intelligently.
Martingale System
Double your even-money bet after every loss. One win recovers all losses plus one unit profit. The higher house edge on the American wheel means losing streaks are slightly more common and slightly longer. Requires a generous table maximum relative to your starting stake. More about the Martingale strategy.
D’Alembert System
Add one unit after a loss, subtract one after a win. The gentlest progression system, particularly suited to the American wheel where you want to limit exposure to the higher house edge. See the D’Alembert strategy.
Paroli System
Double your bet after each win instead of each loss. You are riding winning streaks with limited downside risk. Good for short sessions with a fixed loss limit. Read more about the Paroli strategy.
All systems across all variants sit in the roulette strategy index.
Playing American Roulette for Real Money
Online vs Land-Based
Online versions of American Roulette offer lower minimum bets, faster play, and no waiting for a seat. Most platforms offer demo mode so you can practice for free before wagering real money.
Live dealer tables stream a real croupier and a physical American wheel in HD. They replicate the Las Vegas atmosphere from anywhere in the world. Our vetted options sit on the live dealer roulette page.
What to Look for in a Casino
- Licensing. MGA, UKGC or an equivalent authority, nothing less.
- Certified RTP. An eCOGRA or iTech Labs audit confirming 94.74%.
- Bet limits. Confirm stakes fit your bankroll, especially for Martingale play.
- European option available. Any good casino also offers European Roulette. Switch if you can.
- Responsible gambling tools. Deposit limits, session timers, self-exclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does American Roulette have a double zero?
The double zero was added by American casino operators in the 19th century to increase the house advantage. It has since become the defining characteristic of the American game. European casinos rejected the double zero, which is why European Roulette kept only the single zero.
What is the house edge on American Roulette?
5.26% on every bet except the Five Number Bet, which carries a 7.89% edge. Compare this to 2.70% on European Roulette and 1.35% on French Roulette with La Partage.
Is there any strategy that works better on American Roulette?
No strategy changes the house edge. Even-money outside bets, Red/Black and Odd/Even, give you the lowest variance and the longest session time. Avoid the Five Number Bet entirely, because it is the only bet on the table with a house edge higher than the standard 5.26%.
Should I play American or European Roulette?
European Roulette whenever possible. The house edge is 2.70% versus 5.26%, so you statistically lose half as much per unit wagered. The only reason to play American Roulette is if it is the only table available, or if you specifically enjoy the Las Vegas atmosphere. The single-zero wheel is the better mathematical choice in almost every case.
What is the payout for a straight-up number bet?
35:1, identical to European Roulette. A €10 bet returns €350 in winnings plus your €10 stake. The difference is that you have a 1-in-38 chance of winning instead of 1-in-37.
What happens when 0 or 00 lands?
All outside bets lose. There is no La Partage or En Prison rule on American Roulette, so you lose your full stake. Inside bets placed directly on 0 or 00 pay 35:1.
How many numbers are on an American Roulette wheel?
38 numbers: 0, 00, and 1 through 36. Numbers 1 to 36 alternate between red and black. Both the 0 and 00 pockets are green, and they sit directly opposite each other on the wheel.
Are announced bets available on American Roulette?
No. Voisins du Zéro, Tiers du Cylindre and Orphelins cover physical arcs of a 37-pocket wheel and do not map onto the American layout. If you want to play them, you need a European or French table — see the bet options reference.